Automobile dining outfit



B. N. c'RocKETT AUTOMOBILE DINING OUTFIT Dec. l8 1923. 15477 8112 Original Filed April 8, 1922 Patented Bee. f3, 1923.

BURLEIGH N. GROCKEIT, OF AYER, MASSACHUSETTS.

AUTOMOBILE DINING OUTFIT.

Application filed April 8, 1922, Serial No. 556,679.

7'0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, BURLEIGH N. Cnooxn'rT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ayer, in the county of Middlesex and a State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automobile Dining Outfits, of which the fo lowing is a specification.

The object of this invention is the construction of an outfit designed to be carried by an automobile for containing the lunch or dinner of the people in the car, and which at a moments notice can be converted into a dining table, with seats for at least four thereat.

To this end I provide an elongated box of a width and length to be accommodated upon the running board of an average automobile, the sides of the box being hinged to be opened out to give access to its inte rior and to give additional room upon which to stand food and dishes. This box is attached to a second box designed to be clamped firmly upon the running board and to support the box-table upon it, the second box being adapted for containing boards which are to compose the seats for the table.

In the drawings forming part of this specification. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of 30 the dining table and seats in readiness for use. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the dining outfit packed away. Fig. 3 is an elevation, a part in section, showing the table and one of the seats extended. Fig 1 is a 5 cross section of the boxtable, showing one cover closed and the other open.

The box table 1 consists of a top 2, a bottom 3, ends 4, and one or more partitions 5, and covers 6 hinged thereto. These covers are preferably disposed to hinge within the open sides of the box to have their outer surfaces flush with the top and bottom of the box, and, when opened out, to lie para 'lel with the top 2.

The under box or frame 9 consists of a top 10, bottom 11, ends 12, and, if desired, a back 18; although the latter is not needed. This frame 9 is clamped upon the running board 14 of an automobile in any suitable manner, as by the clamps 15. Within this frame are two seatboards 16 and 17 pivoted at an end of each upon a pin 19 within the frame. The pivoted end of each seat-board is formed with a notch 20 adapted to engage the edge of an end 12 and thereby to pre' Reno-wed May 9, 1923.

vent the seats from swinging apart further than at right angles to the frame 9.

Through the top 10 extends a slot 21 reaching from the end thereof to the midlength. and slidable along this slot is a headed pin or bolt 22 passing up through the box 1 and having a tightening nut 23 on its upper end, the slot being fitted to receive the head 24 of the bolt so that it will not take up any otherwise needed space within the frame. By loosening the nut 23 the box 1 can be slid to present its end flush with the end of the frame, as shown in Fig. 2. This View also shows the box and frame superposed, and fastened together both by tightening the nut 23 and by a lock or latch 25 at their opposite ends.

By sliding the bolt-end to the inidlength of the frame 9 and swinging the box 1 at right angles thereto, and then dropping a hinged board 26 as a leg to the ground, the table box is supported in the position illus trated in Fig. 1. By opening the covers 6 to a horizontal position. the frame-top 10 supporting them, access is given to the provisions packed in the box and also additional table-space provided.

The seats 16. 17 being swung out parallel with the table-box and their hinged boards or legs 27 dropped to the ground, the diners are ready to be seated and to partake of their lunch.

I prefer to attach a cleat 29 to the under surface of each seat 16, 17 to equal the thickness of the leg 27 for the purpose of keeping the seats from shaking and rattling when packed. within the frame, as shown in Fig. 2. vVhen the parts are packed up, I prefer to cover the same with a water-proof fabric to ensure against rain and dust.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a cleat 29 18 attached to the under surface of the boxtable 1 in order to fill the space taken by its folding leg 26. I prefer to locate this eleat at such a distance from the pin or bolt 22 as to bring it immediately in front of the top board 10 when the table is positioned at right angles to the frame 9, and thereby to lock the table against movement laterally.

Whenever the automobile is to be taken out at other times than for picnic Jaunts, the clamps 15 can be easily unloosened and the entire dining set removed. Likewise, it can be removed and carried into the house when it is to be packed with provisions. Such removal can either be by unloosening the clamps 15, or by unscrewing the nut. 23 and taking in the box-table alone.

It is evident that the box-table 1 can be made higher than illustrated and thereby be adapted for a more complete dinner, but it cannot well be wider than the running board. It is also evident that the table and seats could be attached. directly to the running board, but it is much more practical to provide the frame 9 for receiving the seats.

hat I claim is:

1.. A dining set for an automobile having a running board,. comprising a table substantially equal in width and length to the Hatpart of the running board, one end of the table being both pivotally and slidably supported by the running board, and a movable leg near the other end of said table, whereby the latter can be supported at right angles to the midlength of the running board or supported entirely thereby with the ends of the table substantially over the terminals of the fiat portion of the running board.

2. A dining set for an automobile having a running board, comprising an elongated table pivotally supported at one end by said running board, an elongated seat pivota-lly supported at one end by said running board, and movable supports for the free ends of said table and seat, whereby the table and seat can be disposed at right angles to the running board, or swung about and superposed parallel therewith.

3. A dining set for an automobile having a running board, comprising an elongated table and elongated seats each pivotally supported at one end by said running board. and each having a movable support at its outer end, whereby the table and seats can be disposed at right angles to the running board with the table between the seats, or all swung about and packed upon the running board.

at. A dining set for automobiles comprising a frame adapted to be fastened upon the running board of an automobile and consist ing of a top, bottom andends, an elongated table pivoted at one end upon said frame, and conforming in horizontal dimensions to said frame, and two elongated seats each pivoted at one end to an end of said frame and between its top and bottom, the frame and each seat having a folding support near its outerend, said seats and supports being adapted to be swung about and housed within said frame, and the pivoted end of sa l table beingdisposed to be supported at either the midlength or at one end of said frame.

5. A dining set for automobiles comprising a frame substantially conforming in horizontal dimensionsto the flat portion of the running board and adapted tobe fas tened thereto, said frame having top and bottom boards, and the top board having a slot extending from near one end to the midlength thereof, an elongated table equal in horizontal dimensions to said frame and having a pivot bolt at one end engaging and sliding in said slot, and two seats each pivoted at one end within said frame near its end, said table and each of said seats having a folding leg hinged near its outer end, said seats and the legs thereof being disposed to be housed within said frame. and the table to be superposed upon the same.

6. A dining set for automobiles comprising a frame adapted to be fastened upon the running board of the automobile, seats each consisting of a board pivoted at one end near an end of the frame and having a shoulder for engaging an end member of said frame when at right'a-ngles to the latter, a box-table slidably pivoted at one end upon said frame and having open sides provided with hinged covers adapted when open to rest upon said frame and to be supported thereby in a horizontal position, and legs for the outer ends of said seats and table.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing invention, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of April, 1922;

BURLEIGH N. CROCKETT. 

